BREAKING: Minnesota House Of Representatives Votes For Equal Marriage

The Minnesota House of Representatives voted to pass H. F. 1054, 75 – 59 changing the law in this way:

“Marriage, so far as its validity in law is concerned, is a civil contract between?man and a woman?two persons, to which the consent of the parties, capable in law of?contracting, is essential. Lawful marriage may be contracted?only between persons of the opposite sex and?only when a license has been obtained as provided by law and when the?marriage is contracted in the presence of two witnesses and solemnized by one authorized,?or whom one or both of the parties in good faith believe to be authorized, so to do.”

Image from Minnesotans United for All Families
Image from Minnesotans United for All Families

An amendment that would have changed the word “marriage” to “civil marriage” was defeated 111 to 22.

MN vote to abolish marriage fails

In November 2012, Minnesotans defeated an amendment to the state constitution that would have permanently excluded same sex couples from being allowed to marry. The movement, spearheaded by Minnesotans United for All Families, then turned their attention to changing the law to provide for equal rights for all Minnesota couples who want to marry.

Bill author speaks

The Minnesota Senate is scheduled to vote on this issue on Monday, May 13th and Governor Mark Dayton has pledged to sign it. The Minnesota Star Tribune has endorsed Marriage Equality in an editorial and the majority of Minnesotans support it as well.

Some tweets from the debate today:

Marriage Equality Tweet 1

 

Marriage Equality Tweet 2